The solar panel cost per square meter, including all labor and system components, is approximately $6,000. solar photovoltaic (PV) systems to develop cost benchmarks. NLR's PV cost benchmarking work uses a bottom-up. Solar panels cost about $21,816 on average when purchased with cash or $26,004 when purchased with a loan for a 7. While that price tag seems steep, the electricity bill savings you get from solar panels make them a worthwhile investment for most Americans. Our team of solar experts. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) publishes benchmark reports that disaggregate photovoltaic (PV) and energy storage (battery) system installation costs to inform SETO's R&D investment decisions. If you prefer to look at the 11 square foot, one panel will occupy an average of 18 square foot.